Review: Charlotte Tilbury - Goddess Skin Clay Mask

The latest new product from sought after Celebrity makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury, is an addition to her skincare range; Goddess skin. A wonderful clay mask like no other which, no surprise, aims to give you goddess like, baby soft skin.

Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask £45.00

 The first thing I have to mention about this mask is the scent! It has Frangipani extract in the ingredients and oh my word, the scent is heavenly.
For me, it is the main reason I love this mask so much, the fragrance just lifts me and makes me feel so utterly relaxed and blessed out whilst I wait for the spanish clay to work its wonders on my skin. It's little things like this that make the whole at home pamper evening feel that much more enjoyable and spa-like.
My skin seemed to drink this mask up and felt visibly plumped and soft to touch after the first application. There was no tightness which is usually associated with clay masks... nice one, Charlotte! I hate using astringent formulas since my mid twenties. I no longer feel the need to rid my skin of every last bit of moisture in order to feel cleansed. Clean, balanced and nourished skin is all I crave these days. The other pleasant thing about this mask is how easily it glides on, it is really pliable. Thought it does dry rather quickly so use a generous amount if you're wanting to message your skin for extra skin glowing POW! You can head over to Charlotte Tilbury's site and watch her technique - i'd really recommend this if you have time.

At £45.00 a pop it isn't the cheapest of masks and with lots of clay masks lining shop shelves ranging from 99p upwards it might seem hard to justify. It really is a luxe skincare product and although it didn't completely blow me away, I don't think you can find a similar mask that smells and feels so yummy on the skin. The only reason I say it didn't blow me away is that it only does a few things such as no tightness and amazing scent that other clay masks don't seem to have but i'm sure there are some very good alternatives for much cheaper if you look hard enough. The Montagne Jeaunesse single packs are 99p and smell yummy and some are super moisturising so in that sense, you can have the same but there's something just so luxurious and high end about Goddess Skin.

Review: La Roche Posay Serozinc

I cannot get enough of French Pharmacy products...

Let me try and explain why. When I think of French women, I think of bright, glowing skin, free of imperfections. Simple and fuss free; their products don't have a list full of weird and wonderful ingredients.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that La Roche Posay's Serozinc was hitting shelves in the UK! After what feels like years of hearing rave reviews about this product, I was finally going to get to test it out for myself. And it couldn't have come at a better time... My skin has been awful since just before Christmas really.

Serozinc is a toner and one of the main ingredient is zinc sulphate as the name suggests, which has been shown to be very healing and restorative when applied to blemish prone skin. This alongside spring water and sodium chloride provides a cooling and refreshing effect post cleansing.

I've been using the toner since it arrived about 2 weeks ago now - I preordered from Escentual.com. I cannot reccomend this product enough, I swear. It is absolutely perfect for oily/blemish prone skin! Once applied and dried, my skin was left feeling cooled, toned and mattified. I was dubious about it being able to mattify the skin but it really does a good job of keeping shine at bay. I'm not saying i don't have to use powder or blot later in the day but I stay shine free for longer. My skin just felt so soothed like no other toner has managed to do before.

The only downsides I can think of which are negliable for how good the product actually is anyway is that the toner comes in a aerosol can so perhaps this can make dispensing the toner a little hard to control at times and you use too much. It does seem to run out quickly from what i've heard but mine still feels pretty full at the minute.

I have tried soaking a cotton pad and using this in the 'nomal' way I usually use toners but i think i prefer the feeling of the mist hitting my face. But it is all down to preference at the end of the day.

I would say this product is a must have for your beauty cupboard in 2015 and is worth of its cult status!

Review: Wild Medicines Facial Steamers: Oily/Teenage Skin and Face Oil with organic Rosehip, Evening Primrose, Patchouli and Neroli

Wild Medicines Helping Me Get Happy Skin Again...

When I was younger, my mum used to have a facial steamer and would pop in a few drops of essential oils to the hot water and let the vapours from the steam work wonders on her skin. I was too young to be interested in doing the same at the time but i always loved the scent that would waft around the room whilst she was doing this.
My skin has been feeling very irritated and congested for the last few months, i've noticed a lot more breakouts and felt my skin looked bumpy since the holiday definitely but I put this down the sun lotion I was using and thought it would clear up in time. Nothing has really changed so I thought about what I could do or change in my daily skincare routine to make my skin happy again - it just suddenly occurred to me that i should try steaming my face. I googled a few things and was looking for facial steaming bags when I came across Wild Medicines; a must have brand for any green beauty lover!
Wild Medicines was created by the lovely Louise Bowery who believes we can both sooth our skin and our minds by using and listening to nature, which is all around us. We all have a fragrance that when we smell it, it has the power to move us and alter our moods... I absolutely love the scent of jasmine for its uplifting properties and woody scents such as patchouli to calm my mind. Her powerful and potent products are paraben & cruelty free and never test on animals.

I have been using the Facial Steamers (£4 for 4 bags) designed for oily/teenage skin as I wanted to feel like my skin was being purified and decongested of any toxins and grime from every day life. They aim to do just this and leave you with healthy glowing skin afterwards which  can safely vouch for! I popped a bag in a bowl of hot water (you don't need a fancy steaming facial kit to use these like my mum had) and put a small towel over my head and breathed in the vapours whilst they got to work on my skin for around 5 minutes. I'm not a massive fan of steam rooms and find it hard to breathe so i don't tend to use for longer than 5 minutes and pop out for air but you can use for 5-10 minutes quite happily if you wanted to. My skin felt fresh as a daisy and totally rebalanced and i felt like i'd had a mini spa session minus the price tag! I think another positive of using steaming in your skincare routine every now and then is that your skin is primed for any skincare that you use afterwards - especially face masks or serums/oils as your pores are open and more receptive to lotions and potions. The bags come in a handily little tin to keep them fresh and can be easily stored in your vanity cupboard. 

I have only just started using the Neroli Facial Oil (£16 for 30ml) but even though I have oily skin, i'm finding it a real pleasure to use. I've not had any breakouts and don't find it heavy, plus the scent it divine. I try to steam once a week and choose to use a facial oil every other night or so. I'm not sure why, I just don't feel the need to use it every night, but i love using oils like this one when my skin needs a serious hit of moisture.

If you want to try these products for yourself or find out more, visit Wild Medicines or why not tweet Louise on Twitter who will be happy to advise! 

Indeed Labs: Hydraluron Moisture Jelly Review

When I first read about this moisturiser from Indeed Labs; a brand available exclusivey at Boots, I was 100% sure it would be the perfect moisturiser for me. I hate heavy and stickly formulations and the novelty of this product is that it's of a jelly consitency that soaks straight into the skin without leaving any oily residue.

I can safely say that this product despite the blogger hype has been nothing of a complete disapointment to me. It is so exceptionally light that my skin barely feels any kind of moisture hit at all. I use one full pump and it feels like a generous amount of product is applied to my face but afterwards I feel nothing. there's no comfort forthat just cleansed tightness and no softness at all. It feels quite tacky for the first 10-15 minutes too - a bit sticky.

I also dislike the pump - it's very hard, i'd say impossible to control how much you dispense. If you're like me and you don't need a full pump to cover your face it just feels like you're wasting what is already a very small tub (30ml). It's supposed to be more hygenic but I find that once i have pumped the jelly out and go to slide it off it just leaves mess as there is always a slight residue that is left behind but over a bigger surface area than most traditional moisturisers which usually just get it round the nozzle. In that sense it doesn't feel any cleaner to me, not dirty but just a bit of a gimmick really.

The only thing i'd say it has got going for it is the packaging - it looks very clinical and nice on they eye at the same time. I'd say it is definitely only suited to teenage skin that doesn't need any excess moisture as it is very light and feels like it won't aggravate problem/acne prone skin. I really would not reccomend to anyone else as I am THE biggest fan of light moisturisers but this just feels like a waste of time and money. Priced at £24.99 for 30ml i'd also say it isn't exactly cheap for a relatively small/unknown brand, thought Boots often have 1/3 off offers.

One of the rare posts where I don't have anything positive to say i'm afraid.

Review: YSL Fusion Foundation (B40)

This has got to be THE most hotly anticipated beauty product launch of the year! Thousands signed up to the waiting list well in advance of it's official launch in August 2014.

YSL Fusion 'Ink' Foundation £30.50

 I was mega excited to get my hands on a bottle of this 'space age' foundation which promises to last 24 hours and withstand humidity, sweat and whatever life can throw at you without budging in the slightest. I wanted to know could a foundation that promises to last the entire day really not compromise on texture?! Usually this would mean you had to wear a foundation that was either heavy, cake or both...

Shade B40 

Upon applying this foundation the first time, I found it quite awkward to use the applicator wand but only the first time. You allow it to drip off once then apply using either the pointed end for a lighter application or press it flat against your skin for more coverage. I've never used anything quite like it - it literally does feel like it is evaporating or melting into the skin as soon as you start to blend! So much so i was worried it was just disappearing as the results are so fluid and natural looking but when you then look at the other side of your face that hash;t been done yet you can see it's like your skin but better! It's such a strange foundation but in an amazing way, just unlike any of the others out there on the market. I actually find the results get better within the first hour, as though still melting into the skin and looking even more radiant. 

I'm not over keen on the packaging - it's not a big deal but I actually think it looks a bit ugly. It does last a VERY long time but certainly not 24 hours. It might be my skin type which wears it away quicker than most - i'm combo/oily so I think i'll always need a touch up or blotting tissue after 6 hours max but the coverage and overall made up look lasted me all of the working day so from 8am to 5pm.

This is the perfect summer foundation and I just wish it had come a little earlier whilst summer was still around! So light, natural looking and radiant.

Review | Eve Lom Cleanser - The Original Balm Cleanser

After being described by Vogue as 'probably the best cleanser in the world', this product had a lot to live up to!

I will start by saying that it has definitely earned its cult status as I've yet to use a more effective alternative. I went for the 100ml pot as it was slightly better value (£55) than the smaller pot and although they aren't cheap they really last a long time as you only need a small amount do cleanse your whole face. I use a blob on my index finger and just warm it across my fingertips before applying to my face and i'd say it lasts me atleast 6 months and longer possibly.

It looks really thick and waxy and it is until you warm it on your finger tips or in your hands and afterwards it's turns into an oily texture that's almost liquid. For this reason it becomes very easy and comfortable to apply to face and especially the eye area. I love using this cleanser at the end of the night after a day wearing a full face and heavy eye makeup as it literally just melts into the oil and lifts off! If you do wear waterproof or really stubborn mascaras then it still requires some degree of coaxing as in you might need to rub your lashes between your finger and thumb but it's not like you have to rub for ages and still have some stuck to your eyes after.

It's feel so incredibly nourishing to the skin... I was worried with how waxy and oily it looked that it would leave my skin feeling greasy and grimy but it actually turns milky once the water mixes with it and you wipe away any excess with the accompanying cloth. The result is super cleansed comfortable skin. It NEVER feels dried out as the formula isn't harsh or overdrying, the exact opposite.

The only downfall is the scent - I think it's the clove oil but I find this product smells slightly like an ashtray... I know that doesn't sound very appealing at all and a lot of people say the same that this is the only negative thing they can say about the cleanser but strangely, I've started to like the scent! You soon get used to it and it starts to smell quite relaxing.

Once a week I try and make time to do a little facial with this cleanser, the oily texture once warmed is ideal for massaging your skin and once you've spent a few minutes doing this you'll be left with a glowing complexion that feels and looks plumped and awake. I don't do this half as much as I'd like to, I don't know why as it really does feel lovely to do and really recommend it.

REVIEW: Paula's Choice - Hydralight Moisturiser, Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel and Skin Balancing Toner

Paula's Choice, formulated by Paula Begoun, is a range of wonderful skincare products that aim to take 'brilliant care of your skin' that never contain colouring agents, fragrances and have never tested on animals. So far so good! What I also find quite novel about Paula's Choice is the Beautypedia - not only does Paula recommend her own products but other well known and niche brands too! I've never really seen a company do this before, which makes me feel somewhat more assured that Paula's Choice is essentially very honest and has the customer's best interests at heart.

When I start using new products, I really like to try them for a good while before I do a review on them as I really want to give a true reflection of my experience. I implemented these three products into my routine just over a month ago now and my skin has never looked more even and radiant! I'm not saying i've been left with totally new skin without any imperfections or flaws as it hasn't miraculously cured me of the odd breakout, but my skin looks a lot fresher than before I started using Paula's Choice.

In order of usage, here's what I've been using...

1. Skin Balancing Pore Reducing Toner £19.25 190ml
This is super lightweight and mildly moisturising, aimed at normal to oily skin. It's fantastic for combination skin as it doesn't feel feel greasy but at the same time it isn't making problems worse by being too astringent like most toners i've tried before seem to do. It helps provide a bit of moisture to the areas that need it and doesn't sit heavy on the areas that don't. I think the price is very reasonable for the amount you get which is 190ml. I don't totally drench a cotton pad and use just a few drops so really this will last a VERY long time.

2. Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel £23.00 100ml

If you're looking for a brighter and more even complexion, look no further!This exfoliating gel is my absolute star product from the trio. I wasn't sure how my skin would react to this as i've heard mixed reviews about using BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) products but thankfully i've not had any problems and I link my radiant skin these days to this little gem. It's not an exfoliator n the normal sense of the word, to me anyway, it doesn't have any gritty bits that rub against the skin to reveal new skin underneath but uses salicylic acid (2%) to help combat blemishes and redness. Basically, BHA's work inside the skin, within the pores so are great for problem skin, whereas AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) work on the outside and are better for dry skin types generally. The only thing I dislike about this product is the sticky feel on my hands and face for a minute or so after applying. It does sink in to the skin pretty quick though and the sticky residue is gone without a trace afterwards. A word of advice... you MUST make sure you wear a minimum SPF15 when using BHA products, as they make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

3. Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex SPF30 £25.25 60ml

Moisturisers have always been a problem for me, I've always found them a chore as I find it hard to find one that provides enough moisture for my oily skin type without making my skin feel greasy within an hour or so. This moisturiser is definitely a good choice for oily skin types like mine as it certainly is shine free and very light as the name suggests. It provides a excellent sun protection with the SPF30 and provides a really good base if you're going to be applying makeup. However, if you are not going to be wearing makeup on top of this product it could leave you looking a little washed out - this is due to the mineral spf complex. For me it's not so extreme as I look like i've seen  ghost, it just leaves me looking a little paler than before.



Overall i'm so glad i discovered Paula's Choice and i've already got my eye on a few other products to try soon. One that recently arrived is the RESIST Multi Correctional Treatment which i'm going to use on top of the BHA gel for hopefully even better results! Full review to follow in the near future...

Review: Elizabeth Arden - Ceramide Daily Youth Restoring Serum Capsules

Prevention is better than the cure...Some of you may be wondering why i'm using 'youth restoring serum' when I'm only 25... truth is, our skin is steadily declining in elasticity and firmness from our mid twenties so really, I should have been on the ball long before now! I have dabbled with using anti-ageing lotions and potions specifically for younger skin before but never really stuck to any routine where I used them daily. They can often be too heavy and oily as quite a lot are for mature skin which is lacking in moisture but at my age, I just need something to help prevent wrinkles and keep my skin feeling soft and supple.

I would have never thought of using Elizabeth Arden's ceramide capsules if it wasn't for having one of the cosmetic assistant's in John Lewis catch me as I walked by and got me to try one on the back of my hand. I was dubious, as the serum was squeezed out it looked slick and greasy but after massaging in and leaving for a few minutes, it had literally sank straight into my skin with no tacky/oily residue! 

I really was dumfounded, nothing in the title even hints at it being suitable for younger skin but this was a product that would really work for me, so not long after I found a bargainous deal on AllBeauty.com and decided to implement the capsules into my daily skincare routine.My skin feels so soft and totally nurtured after applying, they really are my favourite anti ageing serum so far. Each capsule has enough for one application for face and décolletage - the only downside for me as I don;t particularly like using creams or serums on my neck area so each capsule has just a little too much in it for me. The capsules look so luxe and are quite novel, a little more fussy than having it ready to squeeze out of a tube for example but I like them. They can be a bit fiddly to open if you rip the teat too low it could spill out if you're not careful. The lid on the tube doesn't stay put very well either so i've had lots of capsules scattering all over my floor and makeup bag whilst carting them around (too risky to just carry one around in case it gets squished!) but maybe it was just my jar that's kaput.

They are currently £21.75 on AllBeauty.com and retail at £37.00 for 30 on Debenhams.com

Enlightening Skincare From Bodhi

100% natural skincare with a heart...

I'm so excited to be sharing my Bodhi discovery of super high quality natural skincare that benefits not only your skin but the world we live in too! 

A beautiful and eco friendly delivery from Bodhi

I came across Bodhi in the same manner I usually come across the majority of my skincare and beauty tidbits; via Twitter. I've been researching green beauty reviews for some time now and this brand kept popping up in most of my searches so I had to get in on the action and try it out for myself... I made a few enquiries and was fortunate enough to be sent the 'Love Bath & Body Giftset' alongside Bodhi's latest innovation; the Neroli Lucé Revitalising face Oil to try out and I didn't waste any time in putting these products to use! Before I begin my review of the actual products mentioned here, I'd love to share a bit of information regarding Bodhi Skincare with you, as the passion and total commitment to natural ingredients and looking after our environments whilst still delivering top quality products is so very inspiring.

 Elijah Choo, the founder of Bodhi Skincare, created these exquisite products and a wide variety more with a mind to educating people about the importance of their skincare rituals and encourages us to "rethink the relationship between our personal care and well-being routines, and the impact they have on the environment." If we are bathing and cleansing our skin in synthetic ingredients whether harsh or not, this can undoubtedly have a negative effect on our bodies and complexions - hypersensitivity, blotchiness and redness being some of the common culprits of chemical nasty ingredients that can be found in most high street/readily available brands. These get washed down the drains and end up polluting the environment we live in unnecessarily. Bodhi means "Enlightenment" - to awaken or to understand. I think most people could do with enlightening themselves regarding the relationship between our personal care and well being routines and how we can harmonise them. This is why i've chosen to start incorporating natural products that use high quality essential oils + perfumery grade absolutes so that I can reap the benefits both in mind and body as the experience is so seriously sensuous.

Love Giftset - Jasmine Falls

The Love Bath & Body Giftset is £25 and contains a full size Jasmine Falls Bath & Shower Therapy (250ml) and a travel sized Jasmine Falls Relaxing Body Moisturiser. I'm a sucker for anything jasmine scented so this giftset was perfect for me! The packaging that this duo came in was just stunning - simple and understated. The purple ribbon that adorned the box was just begging to be pulled loose to reveal its beautiful contents...You can pour this bath & shower therapy under a warm running tap for a heavenly scented bathing experience or you can use as a cleansing gel for the body. I did both of these at the same time as I just couldn't get enough of this fragrance so I wanted to be fully immersed in it! It's also lovely to cup your hands and breathe in the scent for a few seconds before washing with it as it's such a relaxing and therapeutic concoction.

As soon as I jumped out of the bath, I applied a liberal amount of the moisturiser; you're always best to apply whilst your skin is still warmed and prepped from bathing I find. My skin was left baby soft and totally nourished with a lingering scent of that divine jasmine playing on my senses for a while afterwards. It's fair to say that I was one very blissed out girly after my first bathtime using Bodhi's Jasmine Falls goodies...

Neroli Lucé Face Oil

I was so very excited to receive the recently launched Neroli Lucé Revitalising Face Oil (£32 for full-sized 15ml) as it aims to 'reveal clarity, tone and balance' all skin types, even combination oily types like mine! It is suitable for " normal, combination, dull & tired or bleish-prone skin" so whatever you have got going off with your skin at the moment, you can be sure that you can use this facial oil. The thing that really got me going was the fact that it mentioned being suitable for blemish-prone skin... I put off using face oils for so long due to the belief that applying oil directly to the face whilst already producing too much of my own oils could only result in a rather ferocious breakout of blemishes. I've used a few face oils now, the Trilogy Rosehip Oil and Willow Organic's Liquid Gold Face Oil and had no problems so far!  

Deep Amber Oil

This little beauty from Bodhi though has probably got to be my favourite as I love the fact that even though it's an oil, it manages to hydrate my skin perfectly without overdoing and somehow keeps my makeup in place and more matte for longer! Hurrah! It feels like a little miracle :)The scent is quite unusual to me, as I've never actually tried anything with Neroli in to my knowledge. I know, i've not lived! As with the Jasmine Falls products, this oil is very uplifting and therapeutic. 

1 Pump 

As you can see here, the oil is very amber in colour and it might just be me but it almost looks as though i have a very slight sunkissed glow after a double pump application - bonus! You only need 1-2 pumps depending for this product to work it's magic so the 15ml goes a long way and will last a long time. This is perfectly sized for popping in a travel beauty bag and I'm thinking of taking it with me on the long haul flight to Florida in a few weeks to keep my skin from getting parched. I don't want to arrivein Fliruda looking like a prune ;)

Overall

Bodhi have definitely just gained a new loyal fan! The products are top quality and you can really tell that a lot of thought and time has gone into their making. I'm already eyeing up what fragrances to try in my next bath & shower therapy product....I'm think Mint Thé or Galangal Spice for something of a change to the florals. We shall see!

If you want to find out more or checkout the full Bodhi Skincare range, pop over to their website and get ready to be enlightened...

Review: Aurelia Skincare; Cleansing Balm and Revitalise & Glow Serum

"A beautiful mix of science and natural luxury"

Since I discovered Aurelia Skincare a few weeks ago, I now question how I ever lived without it! I'm something of a skincare fanatic at the moment - I've been having a spring clean the products I've been using for a while and I've been on the search for skin friendly products specifically aimed at sensitive skins. I first came across Aurelia Skincare in a tweet from one of my favourite beauty tweeters, Mary Greenwell, a fab makeup artist who constantly tantalises me with twitpics of her favourite beauty and skincare items. Low and behold, there was Aurelia, nestled between another of my cult beauty brands; Sisley. The pretty packaging stood out straight away; a fuss-free powder pink box with the words 'Miracle Cleanser' imprinted in metallic gold.. Did you know that the bottles, card and paper are all 100% fully recyclable?! Aurelia Skincare is a British company that manufacture in England; something I'm increasingly on the lookout for when replacing my old skincare products when they run out. There's something quite reassuring about keeping it British. Their unique botanicals are sourced from Africa but the true essence of everything Aurelia is put together in Britain. They NEVER test on animals; the little leaping bunny mark can be found stamped on all of their products! 

Guilt-Free Skincare

The most important factor for me when purchasing new skincare of late is how natural the ingredients list is or how large the 'free from' chemical nasties list is at least. I don't want to be smothering my skin; a living and breathing cell/organism, in chemical nasties. With some careful consideration and research, there's really no need to be using anything other than pure and 

Aurelia really do tick all of the boxes for whatever I am looking for in skincare... Nothing is left uncovered! All products are free from synthetic fragrances, mineral oils, silicones, paragons, sulphates, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, TEA, PEGs and DEA. Wheww! I love how extensive this 'free from' list is as usually a lot of brands will advertise just being free from a handful of these baddies but still hoard a hazardous mix of the others. 

The Miracle Cleanser £34 120ml

This really is a miracle product for me! This cleanser "fuses probiotic and peptide technologies with BioOrganic plant and flower essences" which help to dull and dehydrated skin by delivering much needed moisture and giving a powerful radiance boost.  Now I've used the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which has a similar texture and I still have half a tub abandoned in my bathroom cabinet as I struggle to use it without getting a flare up of teenage skin - you know, those angry big blemishes around the jawline that stay for ages. There was also a very strong fragrance with the Liz Earle cleanser that I disliked but Aurelia's cleanser has a much more delicate scent which doesn't take the breath yet is strong enough to help sooth and relax the mind whilst the creamy cleanser itself soothes and nourishes the skin. 

I can honestly say after switching to this cleanser, my skin has never felt so calmed and soothed. I love how creamy it is and how it manages to lift the most stubborn of makeup from the face and eyes, even waterproof mascara! Gone with a few swirls on the bamboo muslin cloth as though it had never even been there. I think the pricing is spot on, and by far better value than say Eve Lom which starts at £40 for 50ml and you need a 'Morning Time Cleanser' too at £40... You get a whopping 120ml with Aurelia for just £34  which is for day & night and this includes their fabulous and unique bamboo muslin cloth! 

Bamboo Muslin Cloth...Perfection

Just look at how beautiful this bamboo muslin cloth is... It really does stand apart from the rest of the cleansers on the market which mostly have a plain, bog standard rather rough textured cloth that gradually softens with use. This is super soft so doesn't feel harsh when applied to the skin but is very effective all the same! You don't need to scrub at the delicate skin on your face to rid yourself of the impurities it has gained throughout the day; the creamy cleanser does the hard work for you! I really do love this cloth so so much, it makes all the difference to the cleanser and the overall experience too.

 The Revitalise & Glow Serum... £47 30ml

If you've learnt anything about me through reading my blog or twitter, you'll know I hate moisturising. I've always struggled to find the balance between moisturised and feeling greasy. This serum is a dream to use! I was worried like many of the serums i've used before it would end up sitting unused on my desk after finding it had made my skin feel oily or given me breakouts due to clogging my pores. But no, this is very lightweight and actually sank in straight away. As for the scent....well, it's like being transported to a summer garden in full bloom. Such a wonderful scent, I can't rave about it enough. Jasmine, Plumeria, Tuberose and Mandarin give a floral and fresh fragrance which lingers lightly on the skin for about half an hour and is totally addictive and utterly relaxing.

The Verdict...

Overall, I am astounded to have found Aurelia Skincare and overjoyed to have gotten on with the products so well that they are now being implemented as my new daily skincare regime. I actually look forward to cleansing now, especially in the morning, as the fragrances that these two products have really awaken the senses and relax the mind at the same time. Basically, mind and body are both relaxed, irritations are and redness is a thing of the past and only fresh glowing skin is ahead... If there's one thing I'm slightly disappointed with, it's that there is currently no eye creams/serums in the range. I think that would be a wonderful addition and complete my skincare routine perfectly. 

I love how passionate Aurelia Skincare is about responsible sourcing and being eco-friendly; they partner with 'not for profit' organisations and pay a fair trade price to the communities that help harvest the powerful botanicals that go into every jar. A truly guilt free purchase...

I was excited to see that you can purchase Aurelia Skincare from Netaporter; one of my favourite sites! To find out more or to purchase this amazing skincare duo I really do insist you head over to Aurelia where you'll find lots of expert advice and information on how to achieve glowing and radiant skin.

Review: SunSense - Daily Face SPF50+ Invisible Tint Finish

Fellow sun worshippers, it's time to get SunSense-ible... 

Spring has finally spring (about time) and summer is just around the corner, hurrah! If you're anything like me, you've already been making the most of this glorious sunny weather, whether that's out in the garden, in the local park or at the beach (lucky you!)... But did you use sun protection? 

SunSense Daily Face

Sadly, for a lot of people the answer to this question would be no. I used to hate using any form of SPF before I got a bit more sun savvy; I really disliked that greasy and thick texture that felt like it just sat on my skin without ever really sinking and clogging my pores. They would be good at their job in a sense that they would stop me getting sunburnt but I would soon be walking around with a blotchy and blemished face instead. Not a good look either, but yes, better than cancer. 

I didn't want to settle for second best and I've been on the look-out for SPF products especially for the face, that offers intense sun protection whilst letting my skin breathe...something light and oil free with a matt finish. That's where SunSense Daily Face comes in!

The Multitasking Facial SPF

SunSense Daily Face is an incredibly hard working SPF face cream priced at £18.50 for 75g which delivers the highest sun protection factor that you can get (50+) whilst the oil-free base and matt formula gives a lovely 'invisible tint finish'! I used to think that if you opted for the high SPF's that this would automatically mean the formula itself would have to be really thick and sticky to give such high sun protection, but this isn't the case if you find the right products! This is why I'm so glad I got to try Daily Face.

It really is a holygrail SPF face cream - I've been using it for the past week every morning underneath my usual makeup and I've had no trouble with breakouts or general irritation of the skin, at ALL! I was almost certain by the end of the week I would have at-least one massive angry blemish to teach me for dabbling with SPF again but thankfully Daily Face passed the sensitive skin test with flying colours!

Before + After Swatch

Daily face is quite the nifty multi-tasker! Besides offering high factor sun protection it also has the added benefit of moisturising skin and preventing premature skin ageing. Now i'm the fussiest person on the planet when it comes to moisturisers, but I didn't find this overly moisturising, it felt nice and light which is why it's not only suitable for normal skin but combination and acne prone skin too. It still took a bit of getting used to as it's definitely more moisturising than my lightest of light moisturisers that I currently own! 

As you can see from the swatches, the consistency is creamy but light and quite fluid almost. You might be able to see from the  picture to the right with the splodge that it appears to be melting at the bottom showing how light formula really is. Don't be put off by the colouring as it does look a little light but it blends into the skin perfectly and becomes a sheer/invisible veil of protection against the elements. As you can see from the picture where i've blended it in, there is no shine or filmy residue left behind. It sank straight in and left a dewy, radiant glow in its tracks. I always set nearly everything with finishing powder as my skin tends to eat whatever I put on it or turn it shiny within a few hours so I did use my Chanel translucant powder over the top but you could definitely get away with wearing this alone for a fresh-faced summer look, definitely. I just powder out of habit!

It's all too easy to be lax about slathering on the SPF, especially when those rare and unexpected sunny rays take you by surprise and you get lost in the moment, but it's so important! When you consider than malignant melanoma cases in Britain have more than quadrupled in the past 30 years and unsafe sun exposure is the leading factor in this type of cancer developing in the first place. Sun ages the skin and can make us old before our time... If that doesn't have you reaching for the SPF, then nothing probably will! But if you are planning to purchase some soon, be sure to check out SunSense, it's not Australia's No:1 sunscreen for nothing people!

You can purchase SunSense Daily Face John Lewis for £18.50 or from Crawford Healthcare which currently has 15% off RRP  on the entire range right now! I've found it discounted on Amazon for £12.23 too! No excuses ;)